Bathroom Vanities and the Art of Residential Design

Design/Build: Avoid the dangers of a poorly detailed vanity.

Synopsis: In this column about the art of residential design, Marianne Cusato describes the different sizes and shapes of bathroom vanities, and when they are best used in a bathroom. She covers the typical height and width of micro, double-sink, single-sink, corner, and mega vanities, with detailed drawings and dimensions of each type. She also includes a sidebar about maximizing storage by creating a real bottom drawer in a vanity rather than a false top drawer to allow for the depth of the sink bowl, as well as a description of toe kicks and feet used to dress up the vanity.

A well-detailed bathroom vanity is an ­efficient and elegant piece of furniture in your bathroom, while a poorly detailed vanity is a frustrating eyesore that contributes to marital strife. The following set of tips can be applied to all styles of cabinetry. The goal of these suggestions is to help you both when building a ­custom design, as well as selecting a stock product off the shelf.

Vanity Size and Configuration

Double-Sink Vanities

A double-sink vanity is ideally no less than 72 in. wide. They are commercially available starting at 60 in., but before installing the smaller size, it’s worth considering the homeowner’s pattern of use. Will more than one person be in the bathroom at the same time of day? If not, and if you have limited space, it may be preferable to install a single sink. This leaves more counter space and allows for more drawers for storage. One variation to consider is using a single larger sink with two faucets. This gives the best of both worlds—a little more counter space as well as the ability for two people to use the sink at the same time.

Micro Vanities

In urban apartments and smaller homes…

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